Golf-practicing machine



Aug. 21, 1928,

Filed June 4, 192 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 21, 192&

J. C. BACKUS GOLF PRACTIGING MACHINE '7 Sheets- Sheet 3 Filed .lujxe 4, 1925 $1 4% e mm Aug. 21, 1928. 1,681,317

J. c. BACKUS GILF PRACTICING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1925 '7 Sh9ets-Sheet 4 Aug. 21', 1928.

Y J. c. BACKUS GOLF fRACTICING MACHINE Filed June' 4, 1925 7 Shoets -Shqet 5 Aug. 21, 1928.,

J. c. BACKUS GOLF PRACTICING MACHINE 7 Shuts-Sheet '7 Filed June 4, 1925 gwwntoz Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN CLAYTON BACKUS, OF SMElI-IPQR-T, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOLF-PRACTICING MACHINE.

Applicationfiled June 4, 1925. Serial No. 34,909.

This invention relates to an improved golf practicing machine'and seeks, among other objects, to provide a device which will, by indicating all of the imperfections in the stroke of a player, enable the player to perfect his technique.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying means for indicating the probable distance of travel of the driven ball, had the ball not been captive.

Anotherobject is to provide means for indicating the deflectionof flight of the ball from a straight path, when the ball is either hooked or sliced, as well as indicating a straight flight of the ball.

A further object is to provide means for indicating high impact of the club with the ball.

Still another object is to provide ,means for indicating low impact of the club with the ball. I

Another object is to provide means for automatically locking the distance indicating means in actuated position to preserve the reading thereof.

A further ohject is to provide means for automatically locking the flight direction indicating means in actuated position to preserve the reading thereof, as well as looking 30 said indicatingineans when the hall takes a straight flight and said indicating means is not actuated, whereby a reading of the straight flight of the ball will be preserved.

Still another object is to provide means for automatically locking the high and low impact indicating means in actuated position to preserve the reading thereof.

And the invention seeks, as a still further object, to provide means common to all of said locking means for disengaging the locking means and resetting the device.

Further objects of the invention, not above specifically mentioned, will appear in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine showing the captive ball in position on the tee.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine showing the top closure of the casing removed.

Figure a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, this View particularly showing the distance indicating means.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view particularly showing the pawls and the rack for locking the indicator carriage in actuated position. 1

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and particularly showing the mounting of the carriage.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which the retracting spring of the carriage is connected thereto.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view particularly showing the high and low club impact indicating mechanism as well as the hook and slice indicating mechanism, and the means for locking said mechanism in actuated position.

Figure 9 is a transverse'sectional view on the line. Q Q of FigureS, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view particularly showing the mounting of the tee aswell as the mounting of the lever carrying the tee.

Figure 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view onthe line 1l11 of Figure 10, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and particularly showing the mount ing of the scutl' bar.

Figure 12 is a detail perspective view of the trip member employed.

Figure 13 is a detail perspective view. of the releasing shaft and lever.

Figure let is a detail sectional view showing the connection between said shaft and the releasing bar for the pawls of the carriage.

Figure 15 is a plan view similar to Figure 10, showing the mechanism actuated.

In carrying the invention into effect, I employ a stepped casing which is formed with a low forward end port-ion and a high rear end portion and includes an oblong frame having side rails 10 connected by front, rear and intermediate cross rails 11. The frame is assembled upon and removably secured to a base plate 12 which forms the bottom wall of the casing, and extending longitudinally of the forward end portion of the frame at the sides thereof, are detachable top closure strips 13, while at the rear end portion of the frame is removably secured a top closure 14. Secured to the base plate 12 near the corners thereof are feet 15 which are prefmay be treated under the following heads, namely: Mechanism for indicating the prob- .able distance of travel of the ball; Mechanism for automatically locking the distance indicating mechanism in actuated position; Mechanism for indicating the direction of flight of the ball; Mechanism for automatically locking the flight direction indicating mechanism by the pull of the ball Mechanism for indicating a high impact of the club with the ball Mechanism for indicating a low impact of the club with the ball; Mechanism for automatically locking the high and low impactindicating mechanism in actuated position; and Mechanism for disengaging the locking mechanism and resetting the machine. In the ensuing description, the structure will be taken up accordingly, when the operation of the machine will be finally set forth.

The term ball as used herein, is adopted as a matter of convenience and it is to be understood that said term, as employed in the description and in the claims, is not to be limited to a spherical object but shall be construed to cover not only a ball as the term is generally accepted but also any suitable object which might be substituted in lieu of a ball. Furthermore, it should be explained -that the term hook as generally used in golf parlance and as used herein, is employed to indicate the imperfection of a stroke which causes the ball to take an angular flight to the left or curve in its flight away from a straight path toward the player or to the left. Similarly, the term slice as generally used in golf parlance and as used herein, is employed to indicate the imperfection of a stroke which causes the ball to take an angular flight to the right or curve in its flight away from a straight path toward the right. Thus, it is said that the ball is hooked or sliced. Further. the term top or topped as used in golf parlance and as used herein, is employed to indicate the imperfection of a stroke which causes the impact of the club with the ball to be displaced upwardly with respect to the horizontal center line of the ball so that the ball is impelled downwardly by the thrust of the club. Thus, it is said that a ball is topped. Similarly, the term under, as used herein, is employed to indicate the imperfection of a stroke which causes the impact of the club with the ball to be displaced downwardly with respect to the horizontal center line of the ball so that the ball is impelled upwardly at a sharp angle by the thrust of the club.

flleclzmiz'sm for ind'lidt'l nff the probable distance of travel of the belt-Secured to forward end portion of the base plate 12 in alinement with the uide plate, as best seen in Figure t, is a brac et having spaced upstanding lugs 21, and anchored at one end by said bracket is a retracting spring 22 for the carriage. At the rear end of the spring, the terminal convolution thereof is, as shown in Figure 7, engaged through spaced openings in the top wall of the carriage for connecting the spring thereto while at its forward end the spring is formed witha hook 523 which embraces the lugs 21 of the bracket, and extending through said lugsabove the hook is a key 24 limiting the hook against displacement. .Whcn the spring is fully contracted, the carriage stands at the forward end of the guide plate 16.

Extending between the side walls of the carriage 18, as best shown in Figure 6, is a cross brace 25, and projecting at the rear end of the carriage is a plate 26 secured by a pin 27 which extends through the top wall of the carriage and said plate. Connected at one end to said plate is a cord or other suitable flexible element 28 which extends forwardly through an elongated slot 29 in the forward cross railll of the frame of the casing, and connected to the free end of said cord is a ball 30 which is resilient and similar to an ordinary golf ball. Riveted or otherwise cured at their ends to the base plate 12 at the rear of the guide plate 16, as shown in Figure 9, are mating transversely disposed straps 31, and journaled between said straps is a pulley wheel 82 carried by a pin 33 extending through the straps. As shown in Figure '1, the cord 28 is arranged to extend about said wheel, and fixed to the forward end portion of the base, plate 1.2, medially with respect to the slot 29, is a U-shaped bracket 34 mounting a guide sleeve 35 which freely receives the cord thcrethrough. Formed in the closure 14 of the casing above the carriage 18 is a longitudinally extending slot 36 adjacent to which is mounted a scale plate 37 preferably readable in terms of yards for giving the probable distance of travel of the ballor, in other words, the length of the drive, and fixed to the carriage is an upstanding pointer 38 which is freely received through the slot 36 to cooperate with the scale plate. As will be appreciated, pull of the ball upon the cord 23, when the hall is arrested in its flight, will serve to draw the carriage rearwardly.

In Figure 1, the ball is shown in teed liU \ Movement of the carriage will, of course, be

resisted by the spring 22 and this spring is of a chosen tension such that the force required to draw the carriage rearwardly a given distance will approximate or be nearly r equal to the force which the ball, when arrested in its flight, is capable of exerting on the carriage if impelled for a travel of a given length, had the ball not been captive. Accordingly, since the momentum of the ball, at the time it is arrested in its flight will vary according to the effective force of the impact of the club with the ball, the carriage will, each time the ball is driven, be drawn rearwardly a resultant distance and will move the pointer 38 along the scale plate 37 to give an approximately accurate reading of the probable distance of the travel of the ball, had the ball not been captive or, in other words, the length of the drive as it is commonly termed in golf parlance.

Mechanism for automatically locking the distance indicating mechanism in actuated paiti0n.-Fixed to the base plate 12 adjacent the inner side edge of the guide plate 16 is a longitudinally extending rack bar 39 which, as shown in Figures and 6, is formed of mating abutting strips riveted together, and projecting from said strips through the base plate are lugs 40 bent over against the base plate therebcneath for rigidly connecting the rack bar to said plate. Mounted upon the carriage 18 at the inner side wall thereof is a pair of pawls 41 disposed to coact with, said rack bar, and extending through corresponding ends of the pawls and through the side walls of the carriage are cross rods 42 which not only serve to pivotally mount the pawls but also serve to brace the carriage. At their free ends, the pawls are provided with laterally directed lugs 43, and fixed to the carriage to overlie thetop wall thereof are springs 44, the free ends of which project at the inner side of the carriage to bear against the upper edges of the pawls for holding said pawls in engagement with the rack bar. Thus, when the carriage is drawn rearwardly, the pawls 41 will coact with the rack bar for locking the carriage in actuated position to preserve the reading of the length of fictitious travel ofthe ball. Fixed to the base plate 12 adjacentthe ends of the rack bar 39 are brackets45, and pivoted at its ends upon said brackets is an angleshaped lifting bar 46 extending throughout. the length of the rack bar.

As shown in F igure 6, one flange of the bar 46 projects beneath the path of travel of the lugs 43 of the pawls 41 and is thus disposed to coact with said lugs. Accordingly, after the carriage has been drawn rearwardly and locked by the pawls, the bar 46 may be rocked for swinging said flange thereof upwardly beneath the lugs 43 of the pawls and lifting said pawls out of engagement with the rack bar.

elevated position while the carriage is being retracted to its normal position, the lugs 43 of the pawls sliding along the flange of the bar as the carriage is retracted.

Mechanism for indicating the direction of flight of the baZZ.Rising from the rear end portion of the base plate 12, as best seen in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, are posts 47 j The flange of the bar will then hold the pawls in Hts upon the upper, ends of which is removably;

fixed a bed plate 48, and fixed to the bed plate in spaced parallel relation thereabove is a top plate 49 disposed at the rear end portion of the base plate. J ournaled through said plates medially thereof is a vertically disposed shaft 7.

50 which projects freely through the closure 14 of thecasing and is provided near its lower end with a collar 51 to coact with the bed plate for supporting the shaft against downward movement. Remov'ably fixed to the up per end of said shaftgas seen in Figure 1, is a pointer 52 adapted to cooperate with an arcuate scale plate 53 calibrated in opposite direct-ions from a central point and readable in terms of degrees. Fixed to the shaft 50 is an arm 54 which rests against the collar 51 of said shaft and projects forwardly between the plates 48 and 49. At its forward end, the armis provided with rack teeth 55 and pro j ecting from the rear end of the arm is a laterally directed ear 56 beneath which the bed plate 48 is, as particularly seen in Figure 8, provided with an oblong slot 57 Pivoted upon the forward end portion of the base plate 12 in front of the bracket 34, as seen in Figure 4, is a channel-shaped lever 58, and snugly received between the flanges of the lever at the forward end thereof is a preferablyrubber buffer 59 retained by lugs 60 on said flanges. The buffer as well as the forward end flange of the lever are formed to freely receive the cord 28 therethrough so that the free end of the lever will thus be swung with the cord, and projecting from one side flange of the lever at the rear end thereof is an ear 61. Engaged at 1ts forward end wit-h when the lever 58 is swung in either one direction or the other, the shaft 50 willbe rotated for Swinging the needle 52 in a corresponding direction, and the connections be; tween the lever and shaft are such that the needle will be swung a distance corresponding to the swinging movement imparted to the lever. l

Shift-able upon the bed plate 48 beneath the forward end of the arm 54, as particularly shown in Figure 8, is a carrier plate 65 having a slot (36 near one end thereof, and extending through said slot is a stud 67 connecting the carrier plate with the bed plate. Another stud and slot- (not shown) of exactly the same character as the slot and stud 6(5 and 67 may be used for holding the plate in a straight line. Pivoted at their forward ends upon the carrier plate is a pair of like centering levers 68 and (39 provided at their rear ends with upstanding lugs 70 to coact with the side edges of the arm 54, and extending between said levers is a spring 71. Upstruck from the carrier plate (35 near the forward ends of the levers are stop lugs 7 2 and 7 3 disposed to limit the levers in their movement toward each other under the influence of said spring. As will be observed, the lugs 7 (J at the free ends of the levers are normally held in engagement with the side edges of the arm 54 for maintaining the arm centered in neutral position and, as shown in Figure 1, when the arm is thus centered in neutral position, the pointer 52 stands at zero. When the arm is swung to the left, as seen in Figure 8, the lever 68 will be rocked bythe arm against thectension of the spring 71 while the lever 69 will be held stationary by its stop lug 7 3. The lever 68 will, therefore, be caused to coaet with the arm for returning said arm to centered neutral position. Similarly, when the arm is swung to the right, the lever (39 will be rocked by said arm against the tension of the spring 71 while the lever (38 will be held stationary by its stop lug 72. The lever 69 will thus be caused to coact with the arm for returning the arm to centered neutral position. Thus, when the arm'is swung in either one direction or the other, said arm will be antomatically returned to centered neutral position and held in such position.

It will now be assumed that when the ball is driven from its teed position, as shown. in Figure 1, the ball is hooked so that the impact of the club with the ball causes the ball to travel in an angular direction toward the left away from a straight course or curve toward the left in its flight. As will be seen, when the cord 28 is drawn taut by the ball, the lever 58 will be swung by the cord to the left, as seen in Figure 4, with the result that the shaft 50 will be rotated and the pointer 52 correspondingly swung to the left, as seen in Figure 1, for indicating the number of degrees the ball has been hooked or deflected in its flightaway from a straight course. Similarly, when the ball is driven and is sliced so that theiinpact of the club with the ball causes the ball to travel 'in an angular direction toward the right away from a straight course or curve toward the right in its flight, the cord 28 will, when drawn taut by the ball, swing the lever 58 to the right. As will be appreciated, the pointer 52 will thus be correspondingly swung to the right for indicating the number of degrees the ball has been sliced or deflected in its flight away from a straight path. \Vhen the ball is driven and takes a straight flight, the lever 58 will not be swung so that the pointer 52 will remain stationary for indicating the straight flight of the ball.

' 1i! ec/zam'am for (IQIZOIitdIfiClI/Zy] locking the filial/[I'll direction indicating mechanism by the pull of the balZ.Pivoted at its forward end upon the bed plate 48 adj acent one side edge of the carrier plate (35 is a latch 74 provided at its rear end, as particularly shown in Figure 9, with a down-tnrned terminal 75 which is freely received through an oblong slot 7 6 in the bed plate -18, and formed on the forward end of the latch at its inner side edge is a stop shoulder 77, an overlying lug being struck from the latch for doubling the thickness of said shoulder. The carrier plate 65 is provided at its adjacent edge with a like shoulder 78 which is also doubled in thickness by an overlying lug struck from the plate, and connected to the latch is a spring 79 tending to swing'thelatch toward the carrier plate to engage the shoulder 77 of the latch with the shoulder 78 of the plate. Connected to the rear end of the carrier plate is a spring 80 tending to pull the carrier plate rearwardly but, as shown in Figure 8, the carrier plate is normally restrained by the latch. Fixed to the carrier plate in front of the arm 54 is a yoke-shaped pawl plate 81 provided at its ends with angularly disposed upstanding pawl lugs 82 and 83 spaced apart to straddle the forward end of the arm 54. The latch spring 79 is anchored to the latter lug and, as will be observed. when the arm 51 is in its normal position, the forward end thereof is centered with respect to said lugs.

Shiftable upon the bed plate 48 transverse ly with respect to the carrier plate tif), as best seen in Figure 8. is a cam plate 84 provided near its ends with slots 85, and extending through said slots are studs 86 and 87 slidably connecting the cam plate with the bed plate. As will be observed, the actuating spring 80 of the carrier plate is anchored to the stud S6. The cam plate is formed with an inclined edge 88 to eoact with a similarly inclined edge 89 at the inner end of the carrier plate, and normally holding the cam plate retracted is a spring 90. Formed on the outer end of the cam plate is a tongue 91 which is slidably received between retaining studs 92, and formed in the bed plate 48 be- Inn 1,es1.s17

neath said tongue is an oblong slot 93. As

willbe seen, when the cam plate 65 is released l8 therebeneath is a trip member the frame of which is formed of an angle-shaped bar 94 and a straight bar 95 secured together at corresponding ends thereof. The bar 95 projects beyond the free end of the bar 9% and extending between said bars is a vertically disposed pin 96 jom'naling a roller 97. Formed in the bar 95 are spacedlongitudi nally extending slots 98, and extending through said slots are fastening devices 99 slidably connecting the trip member with the bed plate 48. The bar 95 is disposed to coact at its free end with the terminal 7 5 of the latch 74, and connected at one end to the bar 9d is a spring 100, the opposite end of which is anchored to a post 101 on the bed plate 48 so that the spring will thus normally hold the trip member retracted. As will be observed, the cord 28 is arranged to extend over the roller 97 of the trip member while, as brought out in Figure 4, the tripmember is mounted close in front of thepulley'wheel 32 so that the roller is thus disposed close to said wheel. Furthermore, particular attention is directed to the fact that when the trip member is retracted, the roller is disposed in a plane lying in spaced relation to the periphery of the Wheel at the adjacent side thereof so that the roller thus forms a bend in the cord.

As will now be seen, the ball will, after being driven, first pull the cord 28 taut for actuating the flight direction indicating mechanism, as previously described. Almost coincidently, but subsequently, the pull of the ball on the cord, at the instant the momentum of the ball is checked, will further tension the cord and pull the reach thereof between the sleeve 35 and the pulley wheel 32 straight. The cord will thus coact with the roller 97 of the trip member for overcoming the tension of the spring 100 and shifting said men'lber. toward the latch 74. Accordingly, the bar 95 of the trip member will be caused to coact with the terminal 75 of theiatch for swinging the latch out of engagement with the carrier plate 65 and releasing said plate. As will be remembered, when the ball is hooked and takes a flight toward the left, the shaft is rotated for correspondingly swinging the pointer 52 to the left to indicate the deflection of flightot' the ball from a straight path and, of course, the arm 54 is, therefore, as shown in Figure 15,.likewise correspondingly swung to the left. ".Iherefore, after the ball is driven, in the instance taken, the pointer 52 will first be moved to indicate the deflection of flight of the ball toward the left, when, upon the release of the carrier plate (55 by the pull of the ball, at the instant the flight of the ballis checked, the carrier plate will, as previously explained, be shifted rearwardly to engage the lug 82 of the pawl plate 81 with the teeth 55 of the arm 5% and lock the arm in substantially the extreme position to whiehit has been swung. Accordingly, the shaft 50 will be locked against rotation and the pointer 52 thus held stationary to preserve the reading thereof. A similar operation will take place when the ball is sliced and takes a fhght toward the right. In such event,.the arm 54 will be swung t0 the right, as seen in Figures 8 and 15, when, upon the release of the carrier plate 65, the lug 83 of the plate 81 will be moved to engage the teeth 55 of the arm for locking the arm in substantially the extreme position to which it has been swung. Accordingly, the pointer 52, when swung to the right with the arm to indicate the deflection of flight of the ball to the right, will be held stationary and the reading thereof preserved. Should the ball take a straight flight, when driven, the arm 54 will not, for thereason previously explained, beswung, so that the pointer 52 will remain at zero to indicate the straight flight of the ball However, when the ball is checked in its flight, the pull of the ball will release the carrier plate for rearward movement sothat the lugs 82 and 83 of the plate 81 will be shifted rearwardly to straddle the arm 5st. The arm will accordingly be locked in its centered position, and the pointer held in its centered position, as shown in Figure 1, to preserve the reading of the pointer. Thus, when the pointer-52 is swung in either one direction of the other by the ball in its flight or when the ball takes a straight flight and the pointer is not swung, the arm 54: will be locked to preserve the reading of the pointer as well as prevent the thrashing of theball, after being checked in its flight, from producing a false reading of the pointer. a

Mechanism for indicating a, high impact 0 f the clad) with the balk llising from the forward end portion of the base plate 12, as best seen in Figure 4c, are posts 102 spaced along the side margins of said plate, and removably' fixedto the upper ends of said posts is a bed plate 103, a bottom plan view of which appears in Figure 10. Struck downwardly from said plate 'isa stop lug 103 which, as best seen in Figure closely approaches the rod 62 for limiting the forward end of the rod against upward movement and preventing the disengagement of the'forwartl terminal of the rod from the lug 01 of the lever 58. At its forward end, the bed plate is provided medially with a rectangular notch to accommodate a similarly shaped plate-like lever 10-1 which is freely received in said notch, and formed on the bed plate adjacent the real corners of the notch are down turned lugs Formed on the lever 101 is a down turned lug 106 adjacent one rear corner of the lever, and formed on the lever adjacent its other rear corner, as best seen in Figure 11, is a down turned arm 10? provided near its lower end with a slot 108 Extending through the lugs as well as through the lug 100 and arm 107 of the leveris a pivot pin 109 swinginglv connectlng the lever with the bed plate, and immnted on said pm 1s a spring 110 pressing the lever upwardly. Formed on the lever adjacent its forward corners are laterally directed stop lugs 111 offset to extend beneath the bed plate for limiting the lever in its upward movement.

Pivotally mounted upon the lever 101- is a tee having an oblong base 112 frolnwhich rises a medially disposed socket 113, and formed on the ends of the base are down turned lugs 1141. The lever 101 is notched medially at its forward edge to freely receive the base 112 of the tee and formed on the lever at the ends of said notchare down turned lugs 115. Extending through said lugs and through the lugs 11a is a pivot pin lltiswingingly connecting; the tee with the lever. Mounted upon saidpivot pin is a spring 117 pressing the. teenpwardly, and formed on the base 112 of. the too are laterally directed stop lugs 118 oll'set to extend beneath the lever 10 1 for limiting the tee in its upward swinging movement. Rcmovably fixed in the socket 113 of the tee is a preferably rubber tubular tip 119 cupped at its upper end to seat and retain the ball 30 when resting thereon. As will be appreciated, the lever 101 and the tee may be swung downwardly as av unit. However, the tee may be swung forwardly and downwardly upon the lever independently thereof.

Journaled through the bed plate 18 near one end thereof and through the top plate 19, as best seen in Figures 8 and 0, is a vertical shaft 120 provided near its lower end with a collar 121 to coact with the bed plate for limiting the shaft against downward movement. The shaft extends freely through the closure 11 of the casing near the adjacent-side edge thereof, and reinombly fixed to the upper end of said shaft, as seenin Figure 1, is a pointer 122.. Secured to said closure beneath the free end of said pointer is, a cooperating numbered scale plate 123 readable in terms of the distance the impactofthe club with the ball is displaced upwardly with respect to the horizontal center line of the ball. Fixed to the shaft is a sector-shaped ratchet lever 124 resting on the collar 121, and extending through the plates 48 and 49 in front of the lever is a stop pin 125. Slidably resting on the bed plate is a rod 126 provided at its rear end with an upstanding terminal 127 engaged through said lever, and fixed to the rod at its forward end, as shown in Fig ure 11, is a laterally directed terminal 128 which is freely received through the slot 108 of the arm 10? of the lever 101- and is seecured against displacement by a suitable key. Thus, the rod 126 serves to connect the lever 10-1 with the shaft 120. Upstruck from the bed plate 48 near the adjacent forward corner thereof, as shown in Figure 8, is a lag 129, and anchored at one end to said lag is a spring 130, the opposite end of which is engaged with the rod 126 near its rear extremity for pulling the rod forwardly and holding the lever 121 in engagement with the stop pin 125. In this position of the level, the pointer 122 stands, as shown in Figure 1, at Zero, while the terminal 128 of the rod stands at the forward end of the slot 108 of the arm 107. Accordingly, when the lever 101 is swung downwardly, a.corresponding rotative movement will be imparted to the shaft 120. The slot 108 is provided to accommodate the return n'iovelnent of the lever 104 to normal position when the rod is held in a rearward position after being actuated.

Assuming now that when the ball 30 is struck, the impact of the club with the ball is centered on the ball at its rear side, it will be seen that the ball will be drivenforwardly from its position on the tip 110 of the tee, while, as the club swings forwardly and comes in contact with said tip, the too will be, swung forwardly and downwariilly hy the club out of the path thereof and disappear. However, the lever 10-1; will remain statiom ary and since at the time the hall is struck, the lever 58 will, for the reasons previously explained, always be standing in its normal position, as shown in Figure 4;. the tee will, when swung forwardly, strike the buffer 52). Injury to the tee will thus be prevented while, by mounting the tee for swinging movement, injury to the other parts of the mechanism will also be prevented. Assuming again that when the ball is struck, the impact of the club with the ball is displaced upwardly with respect to the horizontal center line of the ball, and the ball is topped as it is termed in golf parlance, it will be seen that the club will exert a downward thrust on the ball and impel the ball downwardly. As a result, the downward thrust of the club will be communicated through the tee to the lever 10 1 and this lever will be swung downwardly a distance proportional to the force of the downward thrust of the club. Accordingly, if the impact of the club with the ball is but slightly displaced upwardly on the ball as regards the horizontal center line thereof, the

lever 104 will be only slightly swung downwardly while further upward displacement of the impact of a club with the ball will cause a proportionately greater downward swinging movement of said lever. In each instance, the arm 107 of the lever will be swung by the lever for imparting a corresponding rotative movement to the shaft so that the pointer 122 will be correspondingly swung to indicate the distance of the upward displacement of the impact ofthe club with the ball. However, in this connection it should be noted that no attempt is made to give accurate readings on the scale plate 123 and the numbers thereon are arbitrary, being chosen to afford a convenient means of determining relatively about how high the ball is topped.

M eoham'sm for indicating a, low impact of the club with the balZ.-Mounted to rock upon the bed plate 103 is a horizontally disposed scuff bar 131 supported above the bed plate in spaced parallel relation thereto. As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the scuff bar extends longitudinally of theforward end portion of the casingat the rear of the tee and is formed at its forward end with a notch 132 to freely accommodate the tee as well as to define prongs 133 which extend at opposite sides of the tee in advance thereof and are reduced in thickness toward their forward ends. The scuff bar is preferably formed of wood and is reinforced by spaced reinforcing rods 134 which extend transversely through the bar. Formed in the lower side of the bar adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof are front and rear pairs of longitudinally extending slots 135 and freely received in the front slots is a pair of links 136 while the rear slots freely accommodate a similar pair of links 137, one of which is elongatedand widened toward its lower end to form a lever 138 having an arouate slot 139 therein. Extending transversely through the bar and through the upper ends of said pairs of links arecross rods 140 pivotally connecting said links with the bar. The links are freely received through suitable slots in the bed plate 103 and formed on the bed plate at its slots are front andrear pairs of down turned lugs 141. Extending through said pairs of lugs and through the links are pivot pins 142 pivotally connecting the links with the bed plate. The links will thus support the scufi' bar in parallel relation to the bed plate to rock thereon and,as will be seen, the upper end portions of the links will, as the bar is rocked forwardly, be accommodated by the slots 135. Upstruck from the bed plate beneath the bar is a lug143 and anchored at one end to said lug is a spring 144,

the opposite end of which is engaged with the forwardly disposed cross rod 140 for pulling rearwardly on the scuff bar and normally holding said bar in its elevated position. as shown 1n Figure 3, flush with the upper face of the top closure 14 of the casing. In this position of the bar, the rear end thereof abuts the forward edge of said. closure as well as the forward face of the intermediate cross rail 11 of the frame of the casing for limiting the bar in its reaward movement, As will be observed the tip 119 of the tee is of a length to support 'the ball 30 above the scuff bar and the position of the ball is such that when the head of an ordinary driver club is rested on the bar behind the ball, the club face will be substantially centered with respect to the ball. Thus, when the club is accurately swung, the ball may be properly driven without striking the scuff bar with the club.

Journaled through the bed plate 48 and through the top plate 49 near the side edge thereof opposite the shaft 120, as shown 11] Figures 8 and 9, is a similar shaft 145 provided at its lower end with a collar 146 to coact with the bed plate for supporting the shaft against downward movement. The shaft projects freely through the top closure 14 of the casingand removably fixed to the upper end of said shaftis a pointer 147 like the pointer 122. Secured to said closure beneath the free end of the pointer 147 is a numbered scale plate 148 like the scale plate 123. Fixed to the shaft 145 is a sector-shaped ratchet lever 149 like the lever 124. The lever 149 rests on the collar 146 of the shaft and extending through the plates 48 and 49 in front of the lever is a stop pin 150. Slidably resting at its rear end portion upon the bed plate 48 isa rod 151, and formed on the rear end of the rod is an upstanding terminal 152 engaged through the lever. The rod 151 is similar to the rod 126 and fixed to the forward end of the rod 151, as seen in Figure 10, is a laterally directed terminal 153 which is freely received through the slot 139 of the lever 138 and issecured against displacement by a suitable key. Thus, thelever 138 connected with the shaft 145 by said rod. Upstruck from the bed plate 48 near the adjacent rear corner thereof is a lug 154 and anchored at one end to said lug is a spring 155, the opposite end of which is engaged with the rod 151 near the rear extremity thereof for pulling the rod forwardly and holding the lever 149 in engagement with the stop pin 150, the spring 155 being like the spring 130. As shown in Figure 1, the pointer 147 normally stands at zero while the terminal 153 ,of the rod 151 is held at the forward end of the slot 139 of the lever 138. Accordingly, when the scuff bar is rocked forwardly for swinging the lever 138, a corresponding rotative movement will be imparted to the shaft 145. The slot 139 in the lever is provided to accommodate the return movement of the scuff bar to normal p0 sition-when the rod 151 is held in a rearward position after being actuated.

Assuming now that when the ball is struck,

the club does not come in contact with the scufl' bar 131, the scnfi' bar will not be swung so that, as will be appreciated in view of the foregoing, the pointer 1 L? will remain at zero. However, assuming that when the club is swung, the club head is caused to describe too great an are, it. will be seen that the head of the club will first strike the scuff bar and rock said bar forwardly when, as the club' head continues in its forward movement, said club head will strike the ball below the hori zontal center line thereof. Should the are of movement of the head of the club be greater, the club head will, as will be seen, strike the scuif bar further in the rear of the ball with the result that the sculi' bar will be rocked further forwardly while the club head will impact the ball lower below-the horizontal center line thereof. Conversely, should the are of movement of the head of the club be less, the club head will strike the scuff bar further forward, with the result that the send bar will be rocked less further forwardly while the club'liead will impact the ball higher toward the horizontal center line thereof. Thus. in each instance, the scuff bar will be rocked forwardly a distance corresponding to the excess in the radius of movement of the club head and the lowness of the impact of the club head with the ball below the horizontal center line of the ball. The lever 138 of the scnif bar will, therefore, be swung accordingly to rotate the shaft 14:5 and correspondingly swing the pointer 14? for indicating the lowncss of the impact of the club with the ball below a correct drive. As in the instance of the scale plate 123, no attempt is made to give accurate readings on the scale plate 1 18, the numbers thereon being arbitrary and being chosen to afford a convenient means of determining relatively about how low the ball is struck.

Mechanism for automatically locking the high and low impact indicating mechanism in actuated p08iti0n.-Formed on the ratchet lever 12-1 are ratchet teeth 156, and pivoted upon the adjacent end of the cam plate 84 is a pawl 157 provided at its outer extremity with an upstanding lug 158 to coact with said teeth. Anchored to the stud 86 is a spring 159 connected to the inner end of the pawl for normally holdingthe lug 158 thereof in engagement with the ratchet teeth 156, and upstanding from the plate 84 is a stud 160 for limiting the pawl in its swinging movement under the influence of said spring. The ratchet lever 145) is likewise provided with ratchet teeth 1G1, and pivoted upon the bed plate 18 is a pawl 162 similar to the pawl 157 and provided at its outer end with an upstanding lug 163 to coact with said teeth. Anchored to the stud 87 is a spring 164 connected to the inner end of the pawl for normally holding the lug 163 in engagement with said teeth, and formed on the cam plate 84 to coact with the inner end portion of the pawl at its rear edge is a lug 165.

When the ball is topped and the lever 10L is depressed for swinging the pointer 122 to give a reading, as previously described, the lever 124 is, as shown in Figure 15, swung rearwardly a corresponding distance. Accordingly, the lug 158 of the pawl 157 will then engage the ratchet teeth 156 of the ratchet lever for locking said lever in its rearward position and, therefore, locking the shaft 120 and the pointer 122 stationary to preserve the reading of the pointer. However, as prcviously explained, the lever 104 is, due to the provision of the slot 108 in the arm 107, permitted to return to its normal position. Similarly, when the ball is struck low and the scuff bar 131 is rocked forwardly for swinging the pointer 147 to give a reading as also previously described, the ratchet lever 149 is, as further shown in Figure 15. swung rearwardly a. corresponding distance; Accordingly, the lug 163 of the pawl 102 will then coact with the ratchet teeth of said lever for locking the lever in its rearward position and, therefore, locking the shaft M5 and pointer 147 stationary to preserve the reading of the pointer. However, as previously explained, the scutl' bar 131 will, due to the provision of the slot 139 in the lever 138, be permitted to return to its normal position. It will thus be seen that when the lever 101 is depressed, said lever may instantly return while, however, the high impact reading produced by the movement of the lever will be retained. Similarly, when the scuff bar 131 is rocked forwardly, the bar may instantly return while, however, the low impact reading produced by the movement of the bar will be retained.

Mechanism for (l'iSQfl-fllf/iltf/ the locking mechanism and resetting the amzclu'ne.-As previously described, the lifting bar 46 is operable to raise the pawls 41 and release the carriage 18, and formed on the downwardly presented flange of said bar at the. rear end thereof, as seen in Figure 1a, is :1 lug 10b. Slidably resting on the base plate 12 is a connecting bar 167, the inner end of which is ollset upwardly and is apertured to freely receive said lug. Fixed to the rear end portion of the base plate 12 near the adjacent side edge thereof are alined brackets 168, and journaled at its ends through said brackets is a longitudinally disposed shaft 16!) extending beneath'the bed plate 48. Fixed to the shaft near its forward end, as seen iii Figure 13, is a depending arm 170 freely engaging at its lower end through an opening in the outer end of the bar167. As also previously do scribed, the cam plate 84: is operable to shift the carrier plate forwardly, and upstanding from the rear end portion of the shaft 169 is an arm 171 which, as shown in Figure 8, is

accommodated by the slot 93 in the bed plate 48 and is freely received through an opening in the tongue 91 of the cam plate. Thus, the shaft 169 is connected with the lifting bar 46 and with the cam plate 84. Fixed to said shaft near the rear end thereof is a lever 17 2 projecting toward the adjacent side edge of the base plate 12, and slidablethrough the closure 14 of the casing is a plunger 17 3 provided at its lower end with a head 174 to coact with said lever as well as limit the plunger against upward displacement. Since the spring 90 of the cam plate 84 normally holds said plate retracted, as previously described, the cam plate will coact with the arm 171 to, in turn, hold the lever 172 elevated at its free end so that the plunger will normally be held at the limit of its upward movement by the lever, while the lifting bar 46 will be'rocked downwardly out of the path of the lugs 43 of the pawls 41 of the carriage 18.

As will now be seen, after the ball has been driven and the carriage 18 has been shifted rearwardly and locked by the pawls 41, the plunger 17 3 may be depressed for swinging the lever 172 downwardly and, as will be appreciated in view of the foregoing, rocking the bar 46 to lift said pawls and free the carriage. As previously explained, the arresting of the ball in its flight will serve to release the carrier plate 65, so that this plate will, after the ball has been driven, be shifted rearwardly, as shown in Figure 15, for locking the arm 54 against movement, as also previously explained, and it is now to be ob served that when the lever 172 is swung downwardly and the lifting bar 46 is rocked to release the carriage 18, the cam plate 84 will be coincidently shifted. Accordingly, the inclined edge 88 of the cam plate will be caused to coact with the inclined edge 89 of the carrier plate for shifting the cam plate for wardly, as previously noted, until said plate is engaged and locked by the latch 74. Thus, without regard as to whether the ball is hooked or sliced and the arm 54 is locked in a position to the right or left, or whether the ball is driven straight and the arm remains in centered position and is locked, as previ ously explained, movement of the cam plate 84 by the actuation of the plunger 17 3, will serve to shift the carrier plate forwardly and release said arm when, in the event the arm has been swung away from centered position,

i the levers 68 and 69 will function, as previously noted, to return the arm to said position and thus return the pointer 52 to zero on the scale plate 53.

If, when the ball is driven, the ball is topped so that the lever 124 is, as shown in Figure 15, swung rearwardly and locked by the pawl 157, as previously described, movement of the cam plate 84 by the actuation of the p1ungerf173 will carry the pawl away from the lever, As the plate is shifted, the

pawl will then rock into engagement wit-h the stud 160 to be limited thereby against further swinging movement under the influence of the spring 159, so that the movement of the cam plate will serve to retract the lug 158 of the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 156 of the lever for releasing said lever coincidently with the freeing of the arm 54 and the releasing of the carriage 18. The spring 130 acting on the rod 126 will then return the lever forwardly to its normal position abutting the stop pin 125 so that the pointer 122 will, as shown in Figure 1, likewise be returned to zero on the scale plate 123. Similarly, if when the ball is driven, the ball is struck low so that, as further shown in Figure 15, the lever 149 is swung rearwardly and locked by the pawl 162, movement of the cam plate 84 by the actuation of the plunger 173 will cause the lug 165 of said plate to coact with the inner end portion of said pawl for rocking the outer end of the pawl away from the lever. Accordingly, the lug 163 of the pawl will be swung out of engageinent with the ratchet teeth 161 of the lever for releasing said lever coincidently with the freeing of the arm 54 and the releasing of the carriage 18 and lever 124. The spring 155, acting on the rod 151, will then re turn the lever 145 forwardly to its normal position abutting the stop pin 150 so that the pointer 147 will, as shown in Figure 1, likewise be returned to zero on the scale plate 148. Thus, when the plunger 173 is depressed, either or both of the levers 124 and 149 will be released, as the case may be, and returned to set position, while the arm 54 and carriage 18 will be coincidently released and also returned to set position.

0perati0n-.,It will now be assumed that the ball 30 is placed on the tip 119 of the tee, as shown in Figure 1, and driven with a golf club. As the ball is arrested in its flight. the pointer 52 will be swung in either one direction or the other, depending upon whether the ball is hooked or sliced, for indicating the deflection of the flight of the ball from a straight path, while, if the ball is driven straight, said pointer will remain stationary for indicating the straight flight of the ball. Immediately following, the mechanism will, whether said pointer remains stationary or is swung, be locked for preserving the reading of the pointer, while the pointer 38 will be shifted rearwardly to give a reading of the probable distance of the drive and the mechanism locked for also preserving the reading of the latter pointer. Should the ball be topped, the pointer 122 will also be swung to give a reading of the highness of the impact of the club head with the ball above the h0rizontal center line of the ball while, should the ball be struck low, the lever 147 will be swung to give a reading of the lowness of the impact of the club head with the ball below the horizontal center line of the ball. In either instance, the mechanism will be locked to preserve the reading of the pointer swung. If, however, the ball is neither topped nor struck low, the pointers 122 and 147 will remain stationary and thus indicate the correctness of the drive in these respects. It sometimes happens that the club first strikes the scuti' bar 131 to rock said bar forwardly and then tops the ball. In such event, the pointer ll? is first swung to give a reading of the low impact of the club head, when the pointer 122 is then swung to give a reading of the high impact of the club head with the ball while the pointers will be locked in actuated position. It will thus be seen that at the conclusion of the stroke the several pointers will supply readings as to the various imperfections of the stroke, if any, or will indicate a perfect stroke, as the case may be, while a reading as to the probable distance of the drive will also be supplied. The player will thus be enabled to intelligently perfect his stance, grip, swing and aim and other points of the technique of the game of golf as. well as increase the distance of his drive. Having observed the readings of the pointers, the plunger 173 is then depressed, when the machine will be reset ready for another drive.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, mechanism for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, a flexible element securing the ball captive, and separate means engaged with the intermediate portion of said elcinent and operable thereby for actuating said mechanism.

2. A golf practicing machine including a. captive ball. means rotatable for indi "ating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is hooked. and separate means angularly movable by the pull of the ball whensaid ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indicating means.

3. A golf practicingmachine including a captive ball, means rotatable for indi, 'ating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is sliced, and separate means angularly movable by the pull of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indicating means.

t. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, mechanism for indicating straight flight of the ball when driven and including means mtatable for indicating delicction of flight of the ball from a straight path in either one direction or the other respectively, and separate means angularly movable by the pull of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said first mentioned means when the ball is deflected.

A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating high impact of a club with the ball when the ball driven, and means subject to the thrust of a club striking the ball for actuating said indicating means.

6. A golf practicing machine including a captive Jall, means for indicating low impact of a club with the ball when the ball is driven, and means subject to the thrust of a club as it strikes the ball for actuating said indicating means.

7. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, mechanism for indicating centered impact of a club with the ball when the ball is driven and including means for indicating high impact of a club with the ball and means for indicating low impact of a club with the ball, and separate means subjectto the thrust of a club as it strikes the ball for actuating said first and second mentioned means respectively.

8. A golf practicing machine including a carriage, a captive ball, av flexible clement connecting the ball with the carriage whereby when the ball is driven the carriage will be shifted, a retracting spring connected with the carriage for resisting movement thereof and arresting the ball in its flight, a fixed rack bar, a pawl on the carriage to enact with said bar for locking the carriage in actuated position, and an oscillatable elevating bar movable to disengage the pawl from said rack bar for releasing the carriage for retraction by said spring and adapted to hold the pawl inactive while the carriage is being retracted.

9. A. golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means rotatable for indicatinu the deflection of flight of the ball from 1'! straightpath when the ball is driven, means angularly movable by the pull of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indicating means, and ineans for locking said indicating means in actuated position to preserve the reading thereof.

10. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means rotatable for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, means operable by the pull of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indicating means, means for locking said indicating means in actuated position to preserve the raiding thereof, and means for disengaging said locking means and freeing said indicat mg means.

11. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means rotatable for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is hooked, means angularly movable by the pallet the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said ndicating means, and means for locking said indicating means to preserve the reading thereof.

12. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means rotatable for indicating if H.

deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is sliced, means angularly movable by the pull of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indieating means, and means for locking said indicating means to preserve the reading thereof.

13. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, mechanism for indicating straight flight of the ball when the ball is driven and including means rotatable for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path in either one direction or the other respectively, means angularly movable by the pull. of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for rotating said indicating means, and means for locking said indicating means to preserve the reading thereof.

14. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a. flexible element securing the ball captive, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, and separate means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said indicating means.

15. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, aflexible element securing the ball captive, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is hooked, and separate means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said indicating means.

16. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is sliced, and separate means slidably accommodating said element and opcrable thereby for actuating said indicating means.

17. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive. means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said indicating means, and mechanism operable by the momentum of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for locking said indicating mechanism to preserve the reading thereof.

18. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is hooked, means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said indicating means, and means operable by the momentum of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for locking said indicating means to preserve the reading thereof.

19. A golf practicing machine including a the reading thereof.

20. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means rotatable for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is either hooked or sliced, means angularly movable by said element for rotating said indicating means, means for locking said indicating means in actuated position, and means for disengaging said locking means and releasing said indicating means.

21. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is either hooked or sliced, means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said in dieating means, means for locking said indieating means in actuated position, and means for disengaging said locking means and releasing said indicating means.

22. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is either hooked or sliced as well as indicating the straight flight of the ball when driven, a flexible element securing the ball captive, and means slidably accominodating said element and operablethereby for actuating said indicating means.

23. A golf practicing machine including a aptive ball, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is either hooked or sliced as well as indicating straight flight of the ball when driven, a flexible element securing the all captive, means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuating said indicating means, and means operable by the momentum of the ball when arrested in its flight for locking said indicating means in actuated position.

A golf In'acticing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is either hooked or sliced as well as indicating straight flight of the ball when driven, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means slidably accommodating said element and operable thereby for actuatlng said indicating means, means operable by the momentum of the ball when arrested in its flight for locking said indicating means in actuated position, and means for freeing said Inn locking means and releasing said indicating means.

25. A golf p acticing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, means acting on the shaft for nor mally holding said indicating means in neutral position, a lever operatively connected with said shaft, a captive ball, and a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indi ating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven.

:26. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, means yieldably acting on said arm for maintaining the shaft stationary and holding said indicating means in neutral position, a lever, means connecting the lever with said shaft, a captive ball, and a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indicating de flection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven.

'27. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, means yieldably acting on said arm for maintaining the shaft stationary and holding said indicating means in neutral position, a lever, means connecting the lever with said shaft, a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, locking means for the shaft engageable with said arm, means for restraining the said locking means, and means operable by the momentum of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for releasing said locking means to engage said arm and lock said shaft to preserve the reading of said indicating means.

28. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, pivoted levers straddling the arm, a spring extending between said levers and urging the levers to react with the arm for normally holding the shaft stationary as well as returning the shaft when rotated, an operating lever. means connecting the operating lever with said shaft. a captive ball, and a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said operating lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven.

29. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, pivoted levers straddling the arm, a spring extending between said levers and urging the lovers to coact with the arm for normally holding the shaft stationary as well as returning the shaft when rotated, an operating lever, means connecting the operating lever with said shaft, a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said operating lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, locking means for the shaft engageable with said arm, means for restraining said locking means, and means operable by the momentum of the ball when said ball is arrested in its flight for releasing said locking means to engage the arm and lock said shaft to preserve the reading of said indi *ating means.

30. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, means normally holding the shaft stationary and maintaining said indicating means in neutral position, a lever, means connecting the lever with said shaft, a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive and operable to swing said lever in either one direction or the other and rotate said shaft therewith for indicaring deflection of flight: of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, said lever being disposed to remain stationary when the ball is driven in a straight path whereby the shaft will remain stationary to indicate straight flight of the ball, locking means for the shaft engageable with said arm, means for restraining said locking means, and means operable by the momentum of the ball. when said ball is arrested in its flight for releasing said locking means to engage said arm when the shaft is swung or when the shaft remains stationary whereby to lock the shaft and preserve the reading of said indicating means. 7

31. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, a 'aptive ball, a flexible clement securing the ball captive, means operable by said element for retating said shaft in either one direction or the other and indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven. a spring actuated carrier plate having locking means thereon, means for restraining said plate and means operable by said element when the ball is arrested in its flight for releasing said carrier plate for movement. to engage said locking means with said arm to lock the shaft in actuated position and preserve the reading of said indicating means.

32. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball. means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, means for locking said inloo dicating means in actuated position, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means for restraining said locking means, and means operable by said flexible element when the ball is arrested in its flight for freeing said locking means to lock said indicating means.

33. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball isdriven as well as indicating straight flight of the ball, locking means for said iiidicating means, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means for restraining said locking means, and means operable by said element when the ball is arrested in its flight for releasing said locking means to lock said indicating means and preserve the reading thereof.

34:. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided with indicating means, an arm carried by said shaft, a spring actuated carrier plate having locking means thereon to engage said arm, a latch normally holding the plate retracted, a captive ball, a flexible element securing the ball captive, means operable by said element for rotating said shaft and indicating deflection of flight of the ball from a straight path when the ball is driven, said latter means being disposed to remain stationary when the ball is driven in a straight path whereby the shaft will not be rotated and said indicating means will indicate straight flight of the ball, and a trip member operable by said element when the ball is arrested in its flight for disengaging the latch and releasing said carrier plate for movement to engage said arm and lock the shaft to preserve the reading of said indicating means.

A golf practicing machine including a' captive ball, mechanism for indicating de flection of flight of the ball from a straight path. when the ball is driven, locking means for said indicating means including a spring actuated carrier plate, means for restraining said plate, means operable by the momentum of the ball when arrested in its flight for releasing said plate, andmeans for retracting the plate.

36. A. golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating ,high impact of a club with the ball, and means for supporting the ball at rest and subject to the thrust of a club striking the ball for actuating said indicating means.

37. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating high im' pact of a club with the ball, means for supporting the ball at rest and Sllb]60l3 to the thrust of a club striking the ball for actuating said indicating means, and means for locking said indicating means in actuated position to preserve the reading thereof. I

38. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating high impact of a club with the ball, and a lever operatively connected with said means and sub ject to the thrust of a club striking the ball for actuating said indicating means.

39. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating high impact of a club with the ball, a lever operatively connected with said means, and a tee carried by said lever, the lever being operable by downward thrust of the club 011 theball when the ball is driven for actuating said indicating means.

40. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating high impact of a club with the ball, a lever operatively connected with said means, and a tee swingingly mounted 011 the lever and normally held upright thereon to supportthe ball, the lever being movable by downward thrust upon the ball when the ball is driven for actuating said indicating means. i

41. A golf practicing machine including a rotatable shaft provided With indicating .means, a lever carried by said shaft, a second lever, means connecting the latter lever with the former lever, a captive ball adapted to be supported by the latter lever in teed position, the lever being movable by downward thrust of a club on the ball when the ball is driven for rotating said shaft and indicating high impact of the club with the ball, and means to coact with said first mentioned lever for locking the shaft when rotated and preserving the reading of said indicating means.

42. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating low im pact of a club with the ball, meansfor supporting the ball at rest, and means disposed at the rear of said supporting means and operable by the thrust of a club striking the ball for actuating said indicating means.

43. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating low impactof a club with the hall, and means disposed for engagement by the club when the ball is driven for actuating said indicating means.

H. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating low impact of a club with the ball, means disposed for engagement by the club when the ball is driven for actuating said indicating means, and means for locking said indicating means in actuated position to preservethe reading thereof.

45. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, means for indicating low impact of a club with the ball. and a scuff bar disposed for engagement by the club when the ball is driven for actuating said indicating means.

46. A golf practicing machine including a captive ball, a tee for supporting the ball, means for indicating lowimpact of a club with the ball, and a scuff bar extending in 

